Hi.
I am about to upgrade to a half set and I am in need of a case for my pipes. Do you normally keep the pipes with drones assembled or do you take them apart every time?
I am going to Dublin in late april and are there any shops that sell cases suitable for pipes there? Could you please give me some dimentions for the size needed to store/carry my pipes in a “ready to go” mode.
Thanks, Ketil
The case size and amount of pipe tear-down depends on your set and the case. I’ve seen a vast assortment of cases. Some pipers have cases big enough that do not require tear-down, but most of the time base drones have to be taken apart. When I was doing research for cases, it seemed like most people used a rifle/shotgun case or a viola case stripped out. I have a full set with a bar, and I couldn’t find a case that I was satisfied with, so I’m in the process of building a case by hand out of wood with foam lining. My case will require no tear-down, but it will also be quite substantial and definitely not an air-travel case.
I have and use both of these. My D full set will fit in a 37" rifle case with bass reg bar still on, and only the bass drone slider off. But the case is HEAVY and not at all fun to carry very far.
My favorite case to date is a stripped-out viola case that I put new foam in. It will hold my B or C 3/4 sets easily, by removing the baritone and bass drone slides, plus some whistles, hemp, and etc. It is very light (carbon fiber) and travels as carry-on luggage on every flight I have taken it on.
Removing drone slides is no big deal, since the drones have to be tuned pretty much every time you play anyway. I don’t like having to disassemble the bass reg and remove the reed from it’s seat if I don’t have to. Some people do it all the time though.
Thanks. I’ll see if I find a used viola case to try out.
An alto sax case is another possibility. I use one (23"x12"X5") which comfortably holds my full set with space for an extra B chanter, a few whistles, reed box, etc. I have a taylor-style bass reg which is folded back, so all I have to do is remove the bass drone slide section and it fits neatly.
Consort Cases. Mooncoin. Lightweight-rugged (backed over it once) and fits in the overhead
My Butler D full set came in a Hiscox case. Solid build, feels quality.
Top of bass reg off (John supplied a reed cap) and bass drone slide off. Fits well with bellows. I remove bass and baritone slides just out of habit and caution.
I use a Pro Tec viola case. It was the largest case I could find that would fit within the allowable envelope (at the time, I haven’t check recently) for carry-on baggage. My D half set will fit inside, with room for a flute and a couple of whistles, with only the outer joints of the baritone and bass drones removed (you’re going to have to tune when you get there anyway).
The additional benefit of a viola case is security. Who would ever steal a viola? 
Think of what is said of violists (not nearly as much as pipers…):
“So young, and already a violist”. - Overheard said by a well-known conductor at a young artist competition concert.
“The difference between a viola and a coffin, is with the coffin, the dead person is inside…”
Disclaimer: I actually like the sound of a well played viola. It’s like the flat set equivalent of the violin. I also had the opportunity to perform the Mozart Kegalstatt Trio with an incredible violist and pianist.
dave boling
I have uses a few cases for my uilleann pipes.
Case from Robbie Hughes (no photo)
savage and hoy cases of two different sizes
Cases used by Andreas Rogge
Consort Case
Now using Hiscox cases for uilleann pipes (same as mandolin case just lining made to fit pipes.
Cheers
Ferg
The viola case I use for my pipes is longer than any of the current allowable carry-on specs, but I have had zero problems carrying it on any airline so far. I think the fact that it is pretty obviously a musical instrument case (as opposed to a rifle case or other luggage) helps, but no airline has ever complained or even asked about it. And it does fit easily in any overhead compartment, with room to put coats and etc. on top of it.
I have two cases that I use. The first is a mountain dulcimer case which I like because while being compact, I can still fit my full D set in it without messing with the drones. For travel I use the aforementioned ProTec viola case with the guts pulled out. I also put elastic straps on the lid so I can have the chanters out of the way. The ProTec is short enough to fly with.
While I haven’t had a problem during air travel it’s always a concern. If traveling with another piper I’d be less concerned as two ProTec cases take up the same width as too roll-aboards in the overhead. I am considering breaking my set into a roll-aboard and putting the clothes in the pipe case and checking it, then swap upon arrival. At least as an ulcer prevention method.
Here are the measurments of uilleann pipes case I have used.
Robbie Hughes case size 850mm x 200mm x 240mm
Savage and Hoy cases of two different sizes.
Sizes 31” x 11” x 5” and 33” x 13.5” x 6”
Cases used by Andreas Rogge.
84 x 27.5 x 12 cm.
Consort Case.
700mm x 250mm x 150mm and other case sizes available 880mm x290mm x 125mm & 600mm x250mm x 150mm
And what I use now Hixcox Uilleann pipes case
800mm x 330mm x 150mm
Cheers
Ferg
I’m looking for a suitable case for my set of pipes, as well. A viola case might do the job, actually.
I take it as you can just rip out the insides of your standard viola case and craft it to be suitable for pipes with relatively small effort, am I right?
On the one I bought, the lining and padding was just hot-glued in, and pretty easy to rip out. I went all the way down to the bare case, then cut upholstery foam to fit. I had to try two or three different thicknesses and densities of foam before I was happy, but scrap pieces of foam large enough to fit the case were not expensive to buy from a nearby upholstery supply.
I have a Nanuk hard plastic case that I use for telescope equipment. (Eyepieces and such.)
Would something like this be overkill?
https://www.hardcases.ca/collections/nanuk-cases/products/nanuk-990
Nothing is overkill, when it comes to an expensive set of pipes - but did you notice in the specs that that case weighs 18 lbs.? Most people will get tired of lugging that around very far. I have two cases very similar to that for different sets of pipes, but only use them for storage and shipping now because they are so heavy. They are pretty much bomb-proof though. And you will never be able to carry that on an airplane - much too large.
Hi!
I have been using a simple Negrini recurve bow and arrow hard case for about $30 to carry my half set around town.
Has done the job and the only thing I need to dismantle is the connector tube on my bellows.
For something more sturdy I’ve been looking at the rounded SKB tripod case (1SKB-H4812W). Nice size and shape to fit a full set with bellows and extras.
http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/proddetail.php?f=&id=170&o=name&offset=name&c=150&s=147
Here is one on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SKB-48x10-1SKB-H4810W-Rail-Pack-Utility-Roller-Tube-Tripod-Stand-Hard-Case-/361215635143
/M
I bought a cheap Gator fiddle case and tore out the internal foam in about 10 seconds for my 3/4 set. It’s been great. I don’t think I’d trust it to check it as baggage, but it’s a great carry-on case.
I believe K & Q use cases like this for their sets. Mountain dulcimer case. Good proportions and does not look like a gun.
https://www.elderly.com/accessories/cases-gigbags/dulcimer-cases-gigbags/canadian-dulcimer-case.htm
Given that any carry-on case can be taken from you at any time and stowed in the hold, this isn’t an approach I’d encourage. Being willing to walk off the plane isn’t necessarily enough, either, because it can be perceived as a security issue.